Lofty details new agentic AI operating system for real estate agents, brokers

Lofty is leaning into the next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate, not just assisting agents, but quietly running much of the business for them. The real estate technology company has introduced Lofty AOS, which it describes as the industry’s first agentic AI operating system built

A spring selling eve – pre-game – note to homebuilding leaders

Homebuilders — many we talk with — are calling today’s selling environment one of “demand uncertainty.” The phrase is clear. Traffic is uneven. Conversions are harder to forecast. Buyers hesitate longer, ask sharper questions, and walk away more often. The label itself may quietly misdirect leadersh

Realtor.com Q2 revenue rises 10% as visitor traffic outpaces rivals

Visitor traffic was a high point for Realtor.com during the second quarter of parent company News Corp.’s fiscal year. The firm announced its financial results for the quarter ending on December 31, 2025, on Thursday.  During the quarter, revenue at Move, the operator of Realtor.com was $143 million

Hanna, Windermere and three more brokerages settle home seller commission lawsuits

An additional five home seller commission lawsuit settlement agreements have gained final approval. On Thursday, Judge Stephen Bough, a Kansas City-based U.S. District Court judge, granted final approval to settlements reached by Hanna Holdings, William Raveis Real Estate, EXIT Realty Corp., Winderm

House scales back proposed VA mortgage fee hike

Just weeks after mortgage trade groups expressed concern about a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would raise fees on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, Republicans in Congress have revised the original proposal. The bill, H.R. 6047 — also known as the Sharri Briley and Er

Restitution checks possible for some reverse mortgage borrowers after CFPB action

Reverse mortgage borrowers whose loans were previously serviced by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subcontractor NOVAD Management Consulting LLC may receive reimbursement checks in the mail following a 2024 enforcement action brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Judge denies Compass injunction against Zillow listing policy

A New York City-based U.S. District Court judge has denied Compass’s preliminary injunction motion in its antitrust lawsuit against Zillow.  As a result of Judge Jeannette Vargas’ ruling, Zillow may continue enforcing its listing access standard policy, which bans listings from its site that have be

Redfin rolls out ChatGPT app for real estate searches

Redfin, which is now owned by Rocket Companies, is following in Zillow’s footsteps and launching an app integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.  The company announced Friday that ChatGPT users now have access to a Redfin app within the platform that allows users to locate property listings relevant to th

Foreign investors keep U.S. real estate moving

While many of the latest conversations around the U.S. real estate market have focused on affordability and interest rates, one segment continues to move forward: foreign investors. While domestic buyers remain more cautious, investors from abroad are driving much of the transaction volume in many U

‘Your listing, your lead’ isn’t the problem — professionalism is

It’s a story of frustration that many buyers and agents can relate to. Buyers repeatedly reaching out to listing agents to see properties, only to receive no response. Calls go unanswered, questions linger and access to homes stalled. That frustration is real and deserves acknowledgment. Consumers s

Rocket, Redfin air first joint Super Bowl ad focused on community

Rocket Companies and Redfin on Thursday unveiled a Super Bowl commercial centered on community and the importance of neighborliness, marking the companies’ first shared national ad and Redfin’s first appearance in a Super Bowl broadcast since the company’s founding 20 years ago. The 60-second spot,

Will New York’s manufactured housing law reshape home financing?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a long-awaited state law designating manufactured housing as real estate in December. In the 11 months ahead, the question is whether the newly enacted measure can deliver on its promised mortgage-style financing or stalls amid legislative rulemaking. Regulators, le

Brown Harris Stevens names Maggie Ross to lead Brooklyn sales

Brown Harris Stevens (BHS) is welcoming Maggie Ross as its new managing director of sales for the firm’s Brooklyn operation, according to an announcement on Wednesday.  Prior to accepting this position at BHS, Ross was an associate real estate broker at Compass.  In her new role at BHS, Ross will be

Atlanta’s No. 3 RealTrends Verified small team launches DOSSIER with Side

The No. 3 RealTrends Verified ranked small team in Atlanta is making the move to Side. On Wednesday, Harvin Greene announced that she and her eponymous team would be leaving Dorsey Altson Realtors to set up DOSSIER, a new boutique firm at white-label brokerage Side.  In 2024, the Harvin Greene team

Shapiro unveils a $1B plan to ‘go big’ on housing and zoning reform

With housing affordability front and center nationally, Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $1 billion program to build more housing across the state. Shapiro’s Critical Infrastructure Fund – nested within his broader $53.26 billion budget recommendation – would support housing and

Champion Homes beats expectations with varied product mix, brand power

Champion Homes (SKY), a Michigan-based manufactured, modular, and mobile homes builder, posted better-than-expected results during a difficult homebuilding sales environment. Amid a challenging market, the builder is leveraging its strong reputation and continually expanding product line to grow its

John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate taps Anna-Marie Ellison for sales leadership

Anna-Marie Ellison is on the move again, this time joining the leadership team at John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate. In a post on LinkedIn on Wednesday, the firm announced that Ellison would serve as its new vice president of sales. According to the brokerage’s announcement, Ellison

Reverse mortgage line of credit remains underused — but advisers may be receptive

Ryan Ponsford, a veteran financial adviser with more than 25 years of experience in wealth management, real estate and lending, is unequivocal: “The reverse mortgage line of credit is one of the most misunderstood, underutilized tools in retirement planning today.”   “The scary part — put five rever

Estimates for insured losses from Winter Storm Fern top $4 billion

Data and analytics firm Verisk said that insured losses to property and automobiles from Winter Storm Fern could reach $4 billion, according to an initial analysis released by the company on Tuesday. Another estimate from Karen Clark & Co. (KCC) is even higher. KCC reported that privately insured lo

Illinois bill targets private real estate listings with new disclosure rules

Lawmakers in Illinois are reestablishing their position in the real estate industry’s private listings debate.  On Wednesday, State Representative Lillian Jiménez introduced a bill into the state’s House of Representatives seeking to amend the state’s Real Estate License Act of 2000. Rep. Jiménez sp